Hospital Clown Troupe training workshop and auditions in September

Ever wanted to be a hospital clown? Then consider attending the next training session of the Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe on September 8 and 9! (I'm chairman of the board and a big fan --but no, I'm not a clown.)If you're already trained, you can audition for the Troupe on September 30.Training workshop:Date: Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9thTime: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Place: Needham, MATuition: $450.00 Includes manual and DVD, snacks and lunch on both training days.Optional: Friday night dinner at a local restaurant to meet the groupMembers of the Boston based Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe are excited to invite you to an introductory weekend training program in the art of hospital clowning. Hospital Clowns enter a hospital environment and use improvisation, magic and joy to transform the child’s world into a space of play and imagination. Within moments, clowns can bring a child from a sense of helplessness into empowerment.Some of what you will learn from our training includes:• Discovery and development of your clown• Learning the art of clown world improvisation.• Hospital clown/ patient role-playing• Empowering the patientTo apply, please fill out our workshop application form here and return it to:Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe, Inc.Attention: Spring Training WorkshopPO Box 920570Needham, MA 02492For further informationEmail: info@hospital-clowns.orgCall: 1 877 256-9612APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 31, 2012*********************************************************************************************************************TRAINERS:Lyn Hadden (Dottie) put her name on the waiting list for training in 1999 and began training with the Troupe in 2001. She has clowned and participated in the ongoing training since. Previously, she was a member of Needham Community Theater, singing, dancing and acting whenever someone let her on stage, so clowning seemed the next logical step. Also, being married and raising three children, and working in the local high school provided her with a lot of understanding -- and material.Joyce Friedman (Frizzle) is thrilled to have been a member of Hearts & Noses Clown Troupe since 1999. Her clown improvisation work with children at Boston area hospitals is the most exciting, rewarding and magical thing she does in her week. Joyce was formerly a musician and improvisational actor with Boston’s Reality Theatre and Omega Theatre. In addition, she directed a holistic health care program for the elderly, Circle of Wellness, where she taught meditation, chi kung, acupressure and nutrition in Boston area senior residences.Currently, Joyce works as a certified professional Life Coach, sings cabaret and plays piano in a Scottish band. She lives in Newton with her husband and three amazing daughters.Cheryl Lekousi (Tic Toc) has been happily clowning with the troupe since 1999. She grew up watching her father, a professional magician who clowned at area hospitals, only to discover her clown after training with Jeannie Lindheim. Having a background in early childhood education and special needs, Cheryl has been a workshop facilitator in these areas for over 15 years. She has worked as the Executive Director of Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe since July 2005 and recently become the Artistic Director.Cheryl lives in Needham with her husband and has two grown children.